Mando, lost cat. Homer Ave. and Ridgeville Rd.

[Taltarzac725]

Lost male, Long hair cat, golden green eyes, white face and chest, black body. 5 lbs, 4 years and 2 months old. Comes to the name Kitty or Kittyboy.

Lost 6/19/2012. In the Villages near the intersection of Ridgeville Rd. and Homer Avenue.

This information is from a HomeAgain Lost Pet Alert for my area. The cat is chipped.

Call HomeAgain if found. 1-888-466-3242

[duffysmom]

Tal, thanks for the head's up. Do you the Village?

[Taltarzac725]

Tal, thanks for the head's up. Do you know the Village?

It was last seen around the Village of Sabal Chase.

[KittyKat]

Tal, we've been feeding a stray cat for about the same time yours has been missing. It's body is black with a white "collar" of fur and a big bushy tail. I think it has green eyes. It comes every morning & evening to eat/drink on the patio. It is very skittish even after all this time so I haven't been able to catch it. The vet ass't said none of the rescues are accepting strays so I haven't tried to get a trap. Can you get one & bring it to me if you think this might be your cat? We live in Amelia which is not too far from Sabal Chase. I took a picture through the screen but it didn't come out too clear. I'll try to attach it. Barb
**Now that I see the picture I'm pretty sure this is the cat. After reading your post again I think you're saying this is someone else's cat. I'll try the ph# tonight or tomorrow.

[KittyKat]

I just called Home Again & they put me through to the owner, who's with her family at Disney World. They had just moved to Sabal Chase & Mondo accidentally got out while they were moving in. Pretty sure this is their cat. Now that we know it's name maybe we can coax him into the lanai. Wish us luck! :2excited:

[Taltarzac725]

I just called Home Again & they put me through to the owner, who's with her family at Disney World. They had just moved to Sabal Chase & Mondo accidentally got out while they were moving in. Pretty sure this is their cat. Now that we know it's name maybe we can coax him into the lanai. Wish us luck! :2excited:

Good luck. That does look a lot like the picture they have posted in the Lost Pet e-mail I received from Home Again. I'll double check.

Just checked my e-mail from Home Again. They look very much alike. Not positive that is Mando but it sure looks like him.

[KittyKat]

Mom left the lanai door open today & put his food dish inside. I was about to open the sliding door when I saw him lying all the way inside watching the bird feeder. I was so excited that I started to open the sliding door slowly & off he went behind the bushes lining our lanai. I called his name & tried to coax him to me but he ran off to the neighbor's house. Will try it again later or tomorrow & this time I'll go out the front door & around to the back & block his exit out the lanai door.

[Taltarzac725]

Mom left the lanai door open today & put his food dish inside. I was about to open the sliding door when I saw him lying all the way inside watching the bird feeder. I was so excited that I started to open the sliding door slowly & off he went behind the bushes lining our lanai. I called his name & tried to coax him to me but he ran off to the neighbor's house. Will try it again later or tomorrow & this time I'll go out the front door & around to the back & block his exit out the lanai door.

Good to hear he is staying around your neighborhood and sounds safe. Sure sounds like a lost rather than an abandoned cat too.

[Joaniesmom]

Fingers crossed! Fingers crossed! Fingers crossed!

Joaniesmom

[Sable99]

I sure hope you are able to catch him. Keep us posted.

[Taltarzac725]

Good luck tonight catching Mando. :wave:

[Joaniesmom]

If no luck tonight, call one of the local animal shelters. They will loan or rent you a humane trap that won't hurt the kitty. Food at the far end and the door drops when he takes a bite. No harm done.

Good luck whatever you try!

[Taltarzac725]

I sure hope you are able to catch him. Keep us posted.

Maybe, the owners of Mando have come home from their trip to Disney? I do hope it all works out for the best.

I think of Blazing Saddles whenever I hear the name Mando. Or, was that Mongo?

[ronsroni]

The tension is KILLING me. I sure hope you are successful. I'm off all day if you need help catching the cat. Fingers, toes and eyes crossed. St. Anthony comes in handy here too.

[KittyKat]

I think Mando's on to us. Saturday, Mom went out on the lanai after she woke up & saw him sauntering across the lawn toward our patio. She opened up the lanai door & brought his food in. He came onto the patio, saw Mom on the lanai & bolted. She left the door open but he never came back. Food dish went back on the patio under a chair & Sunday morning when Mom went out the food was gone. I left the door open later but he was a no show. I don't understand why he is so skittish--he was a house pet so he should want to come in after all this time.
Where is the closest shelter? I wondered if any of the vets or rescue places have traps.
The daughter called Sunday night wondering if we had caught her cat. I felt so bad telling her no.

[Sable99]

I think Mando's on to us. Saturday, Mom went out on the lanai after she woke up & saw him sauntering across the lawn toward our patio. She opened up the lanai door & brought his food in. He came onto the patio, saw Mom on the lanai & bolted. She left the door open but he never came back. Food dish went back on the patio under a chair & Sunday morning when Mom went out the food was gone. I left the door open later but he was a no show. I don't understand why he is so skittish--he was a house pet so he should want to come in after all this time.
Where is the closest shelter? I wondered if any of the vets or rescue places have traps.
The daughter called Sunday night wondering if we had caught her cat. I felt so bad telling her no.


My cats come running to me when they hear me call their names! Maybe the daughter or a family member should go over to your neighborhood and look for their cat. Just a thought.

[KittyKat]

Good idea, Sable99. The mom is a doctor at LSL, not sure about a hubby or how old the daughter is. Will call them tonight.
He was eating on the patio when Mom went out this AM. She calls him Mando, Mondo, Kitty & Kittyboy but he doesn't react. I'm still not 100% this is Mando because he looks younger than 4 years old & has that mark under his right chin but it may be due to loss of weight & being out in the elements. Not sure why he doesn't stay around our house. Maybe others are feeding him too. Or it's because he has seen my two cats on the lanai.

[Taltarzac725]

Good idea, Sable99. The mom is a doctor at LSL, not sure about a hubby or how old the daughter is. Will call them tonight.
He was eating on the patio when Mom went out this AM. She calls him Mando, Mondo, Kitty & Kittyboy but he doesn't react. I'm still not 100% this is Mando because he looks younger than 4 years old & has that mark under his right chin but it may be due to loss of weight & being out in the elements. Not sure why he doesn't stay around our house. Maybe others are feeding him too. Or it's because he has seen my two cats on the lanai.

It might not be Mando. He has probably had a tough time of it though as I believe he was lost more than a month ago if this is the same cat.


I cannot seem to post the picture of Mando that is on the Home Again Lost Pet Alert. I could probably forward you the e-mail with it though??

[pooh]

It might not be Mando. He has probably had a tough time of it though as I believe he was lost more than a month ago if this is the same cat.


I cannot seem to post the picture of Mando that is on the Home Again Lost Pet Alert. I could probably forward you the e-mail with it though??
I'll try to post it Tal.....will send an IM with my email addy

[KittyKat]

Thanks, guys, but I already saw the picture.

Called the family & left a msg to get me a trap. No callback so I might just take a little trip tomorrow to the Sumter County Animal Shelter after I call to make sure they lend them out. If not, I'll try Marion County. :crap2:

[Taltarzac725]

Thanks, guys, but I already saw the picture.

Called the family & left a msg to get me a trap. No callback so I might just take a little trip tomorrow to the Sumter County Animal Shelter after I call to make sure they lend them out. If not, I'll try Marion County. :crap2:

Keep us posted. I will send Pooh an e-mail with the picture just in case this is not Mango. Perhaps, there is someone on TOTV who recognizes the cat from the Home Again picture.

[pooh]

Here's Mando....handsome kitty.

[mfp509]

The pictures sure do look similar. Maybe I have missed something - why haven't the people who lost Mando or a member of their family checked to see if this is their kitty? I know they were at Disney at one point. I would be there in a flash if there was even the slightest chance.

[pooh]

I'm not sure the cat is Mando. Mando appears to have some black fur nearer his right eye than does the stray.

[Barefoot]

This thread just reminds me of the huge number of cats that are lost in The Villages every year. There are so many feral cats living on golf courses and in parking lots. It's heartbreaking. Please be careful to keep your cats indoors and safe.

[Joaniesmom]

I read somewhere that the average life of a cat living outdoors is 18 months. I can't back that up with a quote. Wish I could. Has anyone else read that? Anyway, it's not long and the poor animals live a short, sad, painful life.

I volunteered in an animal shelter for a few years and am ashamed to say I couldn't take it anymore. I have all the admiration in the world for those volunteers! One year every volunteer in the shelter, including me, got ringworm, and we all laughed about it!

Good news is I fostered a litter of five kittens and adopted out four. Elvis never left the building. 10 years later, he still sleeps with me! Lucky me!

Any animal you can help will put another star in your halo.

[Patty55]

The pictures sure do look similar. Maybe I have missed something - why haven't the people who lost Mando or a member of their family checked to see if this is their kitty? I know they were at Disney at one point. I would be there in a flash if there was even the slightest chance.

My thoughts exactly. I would have left Disney.

[KittyKat]

Dad just got into town, he called me today then he & the kids came over to walk the neighborhood. Gave me a flier that I will post at the Amelia postal station. They showed me pictures of Mando on their phones & I'm really not sure this cat is Mando(pronounced Mondo). Mando has a white stripe around his midsection & his face is not all white like my stray cat's. But they both have the same eyes & a bushy tail. Could be Mando's secret son!

I called Barb @ Pet Lovers Rescue & she was kind enough to lend me a humane trap. I only had it set up for 45 minutes before I had to bring it in d/t the rain. Keep fingers & toes crossed.

[KittyKat]

Set the trap out awhile ago & checked it just before 10--was dark so I opened the slider a little & called "kitty, kitty" & he meowed! Brought the trap inside the lanai; he had eaten both dishes of moist & dry cat food I had put in there. He's very scared. I set up a litter box, food, and water, turned a small lamp on & let him out. He's OK as long as I leave him alone. Called the family & NO ANSWER! Hope they can come over tonight to identify him. I won't be able to sleep a wink. If they don't think it's him I guess I'll be taking him to the Vet to see if he's chipped; if not, I hope Barb/Pet Lovers Rescue can take him. He's really a beautiful cat. :2excited:

[Barefoot]

Set the trap out awhile ago & checked it just before 10--was dark so I opened the slider a little & called "kitty, kitty" & he meowed! Brought the trap inside the lanai; he had eaten both dishes of moist & dry cat food I had put in there. He's very scared. I set up a litter box, food, and water, turned a small lamp on & let him out. He's OK as long as I leave him alone. Called the family & NO ANSWER! Hope they can come over tonight to identify him. I won't be able to sleep a wink. If they don't think it's him I guess I'll be taking him to the Vet to see if he's chipped; if not, I hope Barb/Pet Lovers Rescue can take him. He's really a beautiful cat. :2excited:

KK, you've certainly done your fair share to care for this poor stray. Bless you. I sure hope Pet Lovers can take him. We got our big dog LolliPop through Pet Lovers Rescue. A wonderful organization.

[Taltarzac725]

Set the trap out awhile ago & checked it just before 10--was dark so I opened the slider a little & called "kitty, kitty" & he meowed! Brought the trap inside the lanai; he had eaten both dishes of moist & dry cat food I had put in there. He's very scared. I set up a litter box, food, and water, turned a small lamp on & let him out. He's OK as long as I leave him alone. Called the family & NO ANSWER! Hope they can come over tonight to identify him. I won't be able to sleep a wink. If they don't think it's him I guess I'll be taking him to the Vet to see if he's chipped; if not, I hope Barb/Pet Lovers Rescue can take him. He's really a beautiful cat. :2excited:

You sure live up to your "Angel of Mercy" tag. Way to go.

[duffysmom]

Kitty Kat, you are an amazing person and I so admire the action you've taken to rescue this kitty. It's disturbing that you care more about rescuing Mando than they do. I agree that the cat is frightened and skittish but the fact that he answered your call is indication that he isn't feral. You are a :angel:

[Sable99]

Set the trap out awhile ago & checked it just before 10--was dark so I opened the slider a little & called "kitty, kitty" & he meowed! Brought the trap inside the lanai; he had eaten both dishes of moist & dry cat food I had put in there. He's very scared. I set up a litter box, food, and water, turned a small lamp on & let him out. He's OK as long as I leave him alone. Called the family & NO ANSWER! Hope they can come over tonight to identify him. I won't be able to sleep a wink. If they don't think it's him I guess I'll be taking him to the Vet to see if he's chipped; if not, I hope Barb/Pet Lovers Rescue can take him. He's really a beautiful cat. :2excited:


Great job KittyKat. You seem to care a lot more about what happens to this cat than the possible owners do! Keep us posted.


Your post brought back some memories to me -- maybe because that cat resembles my cat Torie. When Torie was a lot younger she accidentally got out. My Mom opened the patio door not knowing the screen wasn't closed! We were visiting our home in St. Augustine and Torie had never been there before. Worse yet, it happened on Christmas Eve and everything was closed. At 3 AM with flashlight in hand, I was wandering around all of the bushes in the complex and the beach! The neighbors probably thought I was crazy! I posted signs everywhere and left messages at the local vets and animal shelters. Three days later Torie showed up at our door. That in itself was amazing to me as she had never been there before and all of the condos look alike. Six years later, Torie is the "purr"fect cat and very friendly to anyone. But, she is still scared of loud noises.

Here is a picture of Torie now with her new little sister Kaylee!

[KittyKat]

The husband called last night around 1:30am, they had just gotten home & wanted to know if I wanted them to come over. I said no, my Mom was sleeping. Said they were driving up to Shands today & would come by in the afternoon. Around 2pm today, the wife called to say they would be here around 3-ish & asked if the cat was declawed--told her I hadn't been able to get that close. Mom sat out on the lanai reading for awhile & "Blackie" finally relaxed & laid by the sliders. Around 4pm Mom came in & said it had gotten on her lap & allowed her to pet it & it DOES have claws so this is not Mando. :cry: I called & left a msg to see if they still wanted the cat since it looks so much like Mando. The young daughter called back & said no, but to keep an eye out for Mando. I had called Barb to let her know I had caught the cat & that it's not Mando and would she be able to take it?--no, she has lots of little kitties. :( I don't want to stress the cat out any more today so tomorrow I'll take it to my Vet to see if it's chipped & go from there. It has used the litter box & is eating & drinking. I really think it has been a stray for maybe most of its life as it was scared to death when I tried to play with her using a toy with feathers on it. I guess I have a new "patient." I think I'll start a new thread after I take it to the Vet tomorrow. Thank you all for your concern & kind words. The Villages really is a special place.

[duffysmom]

Thank you for the update KittyKat. This cat is beautiful and will make someone a wonderful pet. Folks PLEASE DO NOT DECLAW YOUR CAT. It puts them at a disadvantage and is cruel and painful.

[Taltarzac725]

Good luck with this stray. Attractive cat. And we got a lot of attention on Mando who could still be somewhere around Sabal Chase or Amelia.

[Sable99]

Thank you for the update! She is a beautiful cat. She doesn't look like she has been a stray for long. She looks big in the pictures. Maybe you have a new family member.

[KittyKat]

Can't keep it, Sable99. I already have 2 cats that don't get along. Cassie/newer cat goes nuts seeing this cat on the lanai; Zoe/older cat just lies by the glass door looking at it. ***Mom wants me to have it put to sleep!!!!! or let it back out!!!! Please pray that it is microchipped :pray:. I've only put one cat to sleep years ago & I don't want to do that again. If it's not chipped then I'll have to take it to the Sumter County Animal Control shelter where it will at least get some chance at adoption before they put it down. I don't want to let her out while I try to find it a home--it may never come back again or never get in a trap again. I need some advice! :confused:

[Barefoot]

Can't keep it, Sable99. I already have 2 cats that don't get along. Cassie/newer cat goes nuts seeing this cat on the lanai; Zoe/older cat just lies by the glass door looking at it. ***Mom wants me to have it put to sleep!!!!! or let it back out!!!! Please pray that it is microchipped :pray:. I've only put one cat to sleep years ago & I don't want to do that again. If it's not chipped then I'll have to take it to the Sumter County Animal Control shelter where it will at least get some chance at adoption before they put it down. I don't want to let her out while I try to find it a home--it may never come back again or never get in a trap again. I need some advice! :confused:

Here is my opinion, for what it is worth, not much I'm sure. You are in a predicament and I feel very sorry for you because you're obviously a compassionate person. Have you tried advertising the cat on the radio station? Even if the owner isn't listening, neighbours may bring it to their attention.

I don't think you have any alternative, if you can't find a home for the cat, but to take it to the Sumter County Animal shelter. At least there it will have a chance at a home. It won't starve to death or be eaten by coyotes. Sadly, shelters are full of unwanted cats.

[Sable99]

Can't keep it, Sable99. I already have 2 cats that don't get along. Cassie/newer cat goes nuts seeing this cat on the lanai; Zoe/older cat just lies by the glass door looking at it. ***Mom wants me to have it put to sleep!!!!! or let it back out!!!! Please pray that it is micro chipped :pray:. I've only put one cat to sleep years ago & I don't want to do that again. If it's not chipped then I'll have to take it to the Sumter County Animal Control shelter where it will at least get some chance at adoption before they put it down. I don't want to let her out while I try to find it a home--it may never come back again or never get in a trap again. I need some advice! :confused:


I agree with Barefoot. You definitely are a compassionate person and that you should try the Sumter County Animal Shelter.

I haven't moved to my new home in TV yet so I'm not familiar with the vets in the area but have you tried them. I adopted both of my cats through my vet but they were kittens when I got them. Local vets may know of missing cats around TV and may even have posters in their office.

I will be praying that the cat is microchippped. Keep us posted.

[KittyKat]

Thanks, Barefoot. I haven't had a chance to advertise since I thought this was Mando. The problem is time. Our cats love the lanai & Mom doesn't like it that they have to stay inside as long as this cat is here. I'm going to try to talk her into giving me some time. I'll call WVLG tomorrow & I'll check with Marion County (they use Petsmart for adoptions) to see if they'll take it even though I live in Sumter County. :sigh:

[mfp509]

KittyKat - when I was helping a stray cat in my neighborhood, all the local rescue agencies couldn't help so I got on the internet and just searched pet rescue agencies in central Florida and started emailing and making phone calls. Finally, one in Inverness took her. I know how time consuming it is. Maybe if you attach a picture to an email, it might help as the cat is really pretty. Also, I made sure that anyone I contacted was a non-kill facility. Marion County Animal Services who use Petsmart is NOT a non-kill agency.

[Taltarzac725]

Thanks, Barefoot. I haven't had a chance to advertise since I thought this was Mando. The problem is time. Our cats love the lanai & Mom doesn't like it that they have to stay inside as long as this cat is here. I'm going to try to talk her into giving me some time. I'll call WVLG tomorrow & I'll check with Marion County (they use Petsmart for adoptions) to see if they'll take it even though I live in Sumter County. :sigh:

Thanks so much for doing all this work. TOTV should have got some PR for these two cats-- Mando and your new friend. Good luck.

[Barefoot]

Thanks, Barefoot. I haven't had a chance to advertise since I thought this was Mando. The problem is time. Our cats love the lanai & Mom doesn't like it that they have to stay inside as long as this cat is here. I'm going to try to talk her into giving me some time. I'll call WVLG tomorrow & I'll check with Marion County (they use Petsmart for adoptions) to see if they'll take it even though I live in Sumter County. :sigh:

You've been an absolute angel in your attempts to socialize this cat and reunite him with his owner. I hope your mom will give you a day or two to put the ad on the radio. Hopefully someone will claim this lovely cat. Good luck KK. These lost cats just break my heart.

[Joaniesmom]

I often wonder about shelters that advertise themselves as no-kill.I'm not saying it's not possible, but I do question how they manage how they manage to do it. I volunteered with a beautiful shelter for four years.

They made every effort to find good forever homes for every animal that came in. But here's the problem. If an animal came in with a fatal disease what do you do? Let it suffer? Pay a lot of money to medicate and you know it will not work?

What about an elderly animal who also is very ill? Or a feral animal who has very little chance of being socialized? What about the people who sneak in, in the middle of the night thinking they are good Samaritans with a very sick animal, dump it in the drop-off pen, and don't leave so much as a nickle for it's care?

The issue for shelters is they have only so many dollars. They have many more animals. So they have to use their dollars to save the lives of as many animals as is humanly possible. This means making some heartbreaking decisions.

The solutions to this equation is easy. More money or less animals. Now before everyone gets in a tizzy, I mean by less animals, "Spay or neuter!" By more money I mean, "Contribute as much as you can afford to your local shelter". Then you will definitely have a "No-Kill" shelter.

You folks who are trying so hard to help these poor cats are definitely angels in my opinion. I feel no kindness to a small animal will go unrewarded. I wonder if you would consider volunteering at one of the local shelters. It sounds to me that you would definitely be good at it! I really enjoyed my time at Angels for Animals.

[KittyKat]

Last night I sent an email with pictures to districtgov.org which has a pet finder link. Today I called WVLG & left info. HS of Marion County is full. I'm pretty sure this is a feral cat because it hides under the chair when we try to pick it up. Still, hoping it has a chip. I can't believe Mando's family doesn't want this cat. The chance of getting their cat back after all this time is slim.

[Taltarzac725]

Last night I sent an email with pictures to districtgov.org which has a pet finder link. Today I called WVLG & left info. HS of Marion County is full. I'm pretty sure this is a feral cat because it hides under the chair when we try to pick it up. Still, hoping it has a chip. I can't believe Mando's family doesn't want this cat. The chance of getting their cat back after all this time is slim.

If it has been a feral cat, it probably will not make a good pet. I do hope I am wrong though and it has a chip.

[KittyKat]

Just got back from the Vet--no chip. They had trouble holding the cat still so unable to check if male/female. It is skin & bones. They think it is partially feral and that I should release it if I can't keep it. I'm going to check on spay/neuter programs for feral cats before I release it.

Tal, I think you're right on the probability of it being hard to rehabilitate. I wish I knew of someone with a farm or ranch. :cry:

[Barefoot]

Just got back from the Vet--no chip. They had trouble holding the cat still so unable to check if male/female. It is skin & bones. They think it is partially feral and that I should release it if I can't keep it.

I'm going to check on spay/neuter programs for feral cats before I release it. Tal, I think you're right on the probability of it being hard to rehabilitate. I wish I knew of someone with a farm or ranch. :cry:

I'm not surprised it's not chipped. People seem to do that to dogs more than cats.

There is a cat that lives in the parking lot outside Bonefish Grill. It sleeps under people's cars. The staff at Bonefish must occasionally feed it. I've often wanted to "rescue" the cat and free it from its suffering. But my wonderful partner, Fireboy, always makes me see the sense. He tells me the cat is having a great life and I have no right to catnap it and send it to a shelter. I think he is right. But I avoid that parking lot, it makes me sad.

[mfp509]

KittyKat - I pm'd you. Call me - I can help.

[duffysmom]

Oh Boy, just when you think it's over for poor kitty, someone intervenes. :crap2: I'm keeping my finger crossed and I'm :pray:.

[Sable99]

KittyKat - I pm'd you. Call me - I can help.



Oh, I hope so!!! KittyKat sure has been doing her do diligence.

[KittyKat]

Stanley is going up for adoption! PLEASE SEE NEW THREAD TITLED "IT'S A BOY!